Container for the controllable dispensing of a fluid and a container system with such a container

ABSTRACT

A container ( 12 ), for the meterable dispensing of a fluid, includes a first closable reservoir ( 10 ), for a first fluid, that can be connected by means of a connection device ( 13 ) with a separate, second, closable reservoir ( 11 ) to establish a system. The connection device ( 13 ) has an insertion base ( 15 ) and an insertion groove ( 14 ) for each closable reservoir ( 11 ). The insertion base ( 15 ) of the first reservoir ( 10 ) is insertable into the insertion groove ( 14 ) of the second reservoir ( 11 ) and the insertion base ( 15 ) of the second reservoir ( 11 ) into the insertion groove ( 14 ) of the first reservoir ( 10 ). The insertion base ( 15 ) of the first reservoir acts as a stop for the insertion base ( 15 ) of the second reservoir ( 11 ) and the insertion base ( 15 ) of the second reservoir ( 11 ) acts as a stop for the insertion base ( 15 ) of the first reservoir ( 10 ).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of German Patent Application DE 10 2013 018 707.9 filed Nov. 8, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to a container for the meterable dispensing of a fluid with a first closable reservoir for a first fluid, wherein the first reservoir can be connected with a separate, second, closable reservoir by means of a connection device for establishing a system, and the connection means of the first reservoir and of the second reservoir have an insertion base and an insertion groove each, wherein the insertion base of the first reservoir can be inserted into the insertion groove of the second reservoir and the insertion base of the second reservoir can be inserted into the insertion groove of the first reservoir.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A container, in which an individual reservoir is provided for receiving an individual fluid, which can be dispensed in a meterable manner by means of a dropper, is known from DE 197 13 951 B4.

It is disadvantageous that two separate and fully independent containers, which contain each one of the two fluid components, must be used to mix two components of a two-component material. The dispensing of the fluids from the containers must take place one after another or from both containers with two hands in case of simultaneous dispensing. There is a risk now that the two fluids are dispensed at an unfavorable and non-optimal mixing ratio to prepare the two-component material. In addition, the preparation of the necessary mixture is complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A basic object of the present invention is therefore to provide a container of the type mentioned in the introduction, in which the meterable dispensing of two fluids and/or operation of the container is simplified.

The basic object of the present invention is accomplished by a container of the type described in the introduction, in which the insertion base of the first reservoir is used as a stop for the insertion base of the second reservoir and the insertion base of the second reservoir is used as a stop for the insertion base of the first reservoir.

It is advantageous in this case that the first reservoir and the second reservoir form a common container because of the connection device. The container may have the first reservoir and the second reservoir. The especially simultaneous, meterable dispensing of two fluids is considerably simplified hereby. The container makes it possible, in particular, to dispense the fluid associated with the first reservoir and the second reservoir together and/or simultaneously. The second reservoir is preferably intended for a second fluid different from the first fluid. In particular, a preset ratio and/or mixing ratio of the two fluids can be achieved in a simple manner with the container according to the present invention. The connection device is preferably associated directly with the first reservoir and/or the second reservoir. A separate part for connecting the two reservoirs can be eliminated as a result. In particular, the connection device is made in one piece with the first reservoir and/or the second reservoir.

The container itself is designed, in particular, for the meterable dispensing of a fluid from the first reservoir and/or the second reservoir. The container may be used by hand, especially with one hand, for the meterable dispensing of the fluid or fluids. The meterable dispensing can be preferably performed without auxiliary means, especially without additional auxiliary means and/or devices. The container may be designed for actuation and/or use without a tool. This is preferably achieved by means of suitable droppers and/or an at least partially elastic wall for compressing the container. Operability is simplified hereby.

The container is preferably used to store and/or dispense a medicinal and/or dental material, especially a dental material. The fluid, preferably the first fluid of the first reservoir and the second fluid of the second reservoir, is designed, in particular, as a flowable dental material. The dental material is especially one of the following materials: A composite, a bonding agent, a bonding material, a cement liquid, a drug, an endodontic rinsing liquid, a dyeing solution, a resin emulsion (especially with a mixing ball), a ceramic liquid, a bleaching agent and/or an etching agent.

The dental material may be designed as a two-component material. A first component of the two-component material may be the first fluid of the first reservoir and a second component of the two-component material may be the second fluid of the second reservoir. The fluid contains, in particular, one or more of the following ingredients:

Acetone, ethyl alcohol, water, methyl methacrylate (especially bisphionol-A-(di)methacrylate, decamethylene di-methacrylate, urethane di-methacrylate and/or triethylene glycol-di-methacrylate), methyl ethyl ketone, phosphoric acid, maleic acid, camphorquinone, benzoin methyl ester, acylphosphine oxide, glutaraldehyde, sodium fluoride, polyalkenoate (methacrylated), acrylamidosulfonic acid, functionalized amorphous silicon dioxide, PENTA (dipentaerythritol penacrylate-phosphoric acid monomer), cetylaminohydrofluoride, highly dispersed silicon dioxide, acid acrylate, HEMA 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, BHT butylated hydroxyl toluene, pyro-EMA (phosphoric acid modified methacrylate), and ethyl-4-dimethylaminobenzoate.

The container, the first reservoir and/or the second reservoir preferably has a filling volume of up 10 mL, especially up to 5 mL. The filling volume is especially in the range of 2 mL to 10 mL. The filling volume is especially preferably 2.5 mL, 3 mL, 5 mL, 8 mL or 10 mL. The filling volume relates especially to a filled quantity of fluid. The void volume of the container, the first reservoir and/or the second reservoir is preferably larger than the corresponding filling volume. As a result, the fluid filled in can be shaken up, if desired or necessary, before dispensing or use. In particular, the void volume is larger than the filling volume by 2 mL to 3 mL. The void volume is especially in the range of 6 mL to 7 mL. The void volume of the container, the first reservoir and/or the second reservoir can be obtained from the void volume of the reservoir including the void volume of an outlet, especially a bottle neck-like outlet.

According to another embodiment, the connection device is designed as an insertion device for establishing a non-positive and/or positive-locking insertion type connection. The insertion device is designed especially as a dovetail device. An insertion device and/or dovetail connection makes it possible to obtain a connection between two partial components, for example, the first reservoir and the second reservoir here, which is easy to prepare and is yet sufficiently reliable. In particular, the first reservoir is a first partial container and the second reservoir is a second partial container. The first reservoir and the second reservoir preferably have insertion device of an identical design each, especially dovetail device. The first reservoir or first partial container and the second reservoir or second partial container can thus have an identical design at least in relation to the connection device, as a result of which manufacture is simplified and/or made easier.

According to a variant, the first reservoir and/or the second reservoir has a semicircular or hemiellipsoidal cross section. In particular, a semicircular or hemiellipsoidal cross section and/or outer circumference is obtained in a top view of the reservoir or partial container. In particular, the first reservoir and/or the second reservoir has an essentially flat connection side. An insertion device is preferably arranged on the connection side. The insertion device and/or an insertion axis may extend in parallel to a major axis of the hemiellipsoidal cross section to establish the insertion type connection. The connection sides and/or the insertion devices of the first reservoir and second reservoir face each other to establish the connection between the two reservoirs or partial containers with one another to form the container. The two reservoirs connected with one another may form a circular or ellipsoidal circumference for the container.

The first reservoir and/or the second reservoir preferably has a pressing surface each on a side facing away from the connection side, especially the outer side. The wall material of the first and second reservoirs can be elastically pushed inwardly in the area of the pressing surfaces. The dispensing of a drop is facilitated hereby. The pressing surface preferably extends at least essentially in the longitudinal direction and/or in parallel to an insertion axis to establish the insertion type connection. The pressing surface extends, in particular, at least essentially in parallel to a major axis of a hemiellipsoidal cross section of the first reservoir or of the second reservoir. With the reservoirs connected with one another, the pressing surfaces of the two reservoirs may extend at least essentially in parallel to a main axis of an ellipsoidal cross section of the container. This facilitates an intuitive gripping of the container, during which a person places the thumb on a pressing surface of one of the two reservoirs and at least one finger on a pressing surface of the respective other reservoir. The attempt at compressing the container in the direction of the insertion axis, which is stiffened especially because of the insertion devices, can be avoided hereby.

The connection device of the first reservoir and of the second reservoir, especially the insertion device, may have an insertion base and an insertion groove each. The insertion base of the first reservoir can preferably be inserted into the insertion groove of the second reservoir and the insertion base of the second reservoir into the insertion groove of the first reservoir. As a result, the insertion type connection can be established in a simple and effective manner by means of connection device and/or insertion devices that have identical design for the first reservoir and the second reservoir. In particular, the insertion base is designed as a dovetail base and the insertion groove as a dovetail groove.

The insertion base of the first reservoir preferably acts as a stop for the insertion base of the second reservoir. As a result, the path of displacement of the two reservoirs in relation to one another can be limited, and a tactile feedback can be sent to the user to indicate that the connection was successfully established, when establishing the connection between the two reservoirs by means of the stop. In particular, the insertion base of the second reservoir acts as a stop for the insertion base of the first reservoir. The first reservoir and the second reservoir are preferably arranged rotated by 180° about the vertical axis of the first and/or second reservoir to establish the connection by means of the connection device. In particular, a connection of the two reservoirs with one another is established on the basis of a motion of the two reservoirs transversely, especially at right angles to the vertical axis of the reservoir.

According to another embodiment, the first reservoir and/or the second reservoir has an outlet, which is especially arranged on a top side and/or is bottleneck-like. The fluid of the first reservoir or of the second reservoir can be dispensed by means of the outlet. The first reservoir and/or the second reservoir is preferably made of an elastically deformable material.

Meterable dispensing of the fluid from the outlet, especially from a dropper connected with the outlet, is simplified hereby. In particular, the dispensed quantity can be controlled by the extent to which the elastically deformable material is pushed in and/or squeezed. The material of the first reservoir and/or of the second reservoir especially preferably possesses barrier properties in respect to the first fluid and/or the second fluid, preferably against permeation of water vapor, methyl acrylate resins, ethyl alcohol and/or solvents, especially acetone. Permeation or penetration through the reservoir is prevented especially because of the barrier properties. The barrier properties of the first reservoir and/or second reservoir preferably prevent permeation of the ingredients of the fluid and/or of the fluid itself. As a result, an undesired reaction of the two components during storage and/or transportation of the reservoirs connected with one another can be avoided, for example, during the storage of two components of a two-component material. The barrier properties of the material are especially such that permeation for oxygen is made possible, especially improved storage stability of the fluid in the first and/or second reservoir.

The barrier properties can be improved by the first reservoir and the second reservoir being separated from each other in space, especially by means of an air gap, aside from the connection device. In particular, the material layer and/or wall thickness of the first reservoir and/or second reservoir may be made thicker in the area of the connection side facing each other and/or the connection device than in an area of the two reservoirs that directly faces each other.

To ensure the barrier properties, the first reservoir and/or the second reservoir may be formed from a one-layer or multilayer, especially three-layer material. In case of a three-layer structure, an outer layer and/or an inner layer may be formed from a polyolefin, especially including a bonding agent. Polypropylene or polyethylene may be used as the polyolefin. An intermediate layer arranged between the outer layer and the inner layer may consist of an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH).

The first reservoir and/or the second reservoir may have a one-layer structure consisting of a single material and/or a single material mixture. A multilayer laminate structure can be avoided hereby. The material for the one-layer structure is preferably a mixture of a polyolefin, especially a polypropylene or a polyethylene, with an additive for reinforcing and/or generating the barrier properties. The additive may contain nylon, polyamide and/or EVOH. In particular, the additive contains flakes of nylon, polyamide and/or EVOH. These flakes may at least partially overlie one another within the layer consisting of the material for the one-layer structure. The barrier properties are markedly improved hereby. An additional bonding agent may be eliminated. In particular, the first reservoir and/or the second reservoir can be manufactured each in a single manufacturing step by means of the material for the one-layer structure. Only a single extruder is preferably needed to manufacture the first reservoir and/or the second reservoir.

According to a variant, a securing device is provided for additionally securing the reservoirs connected with one another and/or the connection device against accidental separation. In particular, a relative motion of the first reservoir relative to the second reservoir is prevented by means of the securing device. The securing device is preferably designed as a cap. An outlet of the first reservoir can be enclosed, covered and/or closed with the cap together with an outlet of the second reservoir. The securing device can thus have at least one dual function, namely, besides the securing of the connection of the two reservoirs with one another, provide an additional, especially openable closing of the outlets of the two reservoirs. The cap can be attached to the outlets especially transversely, preferably at right angles, to an insertion axis, in the longitudinal direction of which the first reservoir and/or the second reservoir can be moved to establish an insertion type connection, to block a displacement of the two reservoirs against one another, especially along the insertion axis. The cap especially meshes at least partially with the outlets. The first reservoir and/or the second reservoir may be manufactured by means of extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding and/or injection molding.

The cap preferably has a first dropper, which cooperates with the outlet of the first reservoir. In particular, the cap has a second dropper, which cooperates with the outlet of the second reservoir. Meterable dispensing of the fluids is facilitated by means of the droppers. The droppers may be designed such that the drop weight is in the range of 1 mg to 2 mg, and especially around approximately 1.5 mg. When metering 5 drops, the deviation may be in the range of ±0.5 mg to about ±2 mg, and especially around approximately ±1.5 mg.

The first dropper and the second dropper are preferably coordinated with one another for a preset dispensed quantity and/or for a preset mixing ratio of the fluids from the first reservoir and the second reservoir. The two fluids can thus be dispensed from the two reservoirs in a simple manner and at a desired mixing ratio. The diameters of the first dropper and the second dropper are preferably different from one another and are designed as a function of the viscosity, the rheological and/or physical properties of the fluids associated with the first dropper and the second dropper. In particular, the shape of the first dropper and of the second dropper is adapted as a function of the material properties of the respective associated fluids to be received in the first reservoir and in the second reservoir as well as of the preset mixing ratio of the two fluids or components. The two droppers may have each a cylindrical area, which especially faces the reservoir, and a conical area expanding away from the reservoir starting from the cylindrical area. The internal diameter at the inlet and/or at the outlet of the dropper, the length of the dropper channel and/or of the cylindrical area, and/or the shape of the conical area may be adapted to obtain the preset mixing ratio.

In particular, the cap has a cover for closing and/or opening the first dropper and the second dropper together. The operation of the container with the two reservoirs is further simplified hereby. The cover and/or the cap preferably has a tamper-evident safety seal. It can be determined by means of the tamper-evident safety seal whether the cover and/or the cap has been hitherto unopened or whether it has already been opened at least once.

According to another embodiment, a collection area is provided for collecting overflowing first fluid and/or second fluid. The fluid is prevented hereby from flowing down on the container at least for a presettable quantity of overflowing fluid. Undesired contaminations can be avoided hereby. The cap preferably has the collection area especially under the first dropper and the second dropper. The collection area may be designed as a depression and/or in the manner of a basin. The collection area has, in particular, a sink, a groove, a collecting collar and/or a raised edge. The overflowing fluid can thus flow into a basin, a sink and/or a groove in order to be collected there.

Especially advantageous is a container system with a container according to the present invention, in which a first closable reservoir for a first fluid is connected by means of a connection device with a separate, second closable reservoir for a second fluid for establishing a system. The container system and/or the system is preferably designed such that the first fluid as a first component and the second fluid as a second component can be dispensed simultaneously and at a preset mixing ratio to provide a two-component material.

The present invention will be explained in more detail below on the basis of the figures. The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a first reservoir and of a second reservoir for a container according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a first perspective side view of a container according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is another perspective side view of a container according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a container according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cut-away side view of the container according to the present invention along section line B-B in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a detail of the cut-away side view according to FIG. 5 in the area of a cap of the container according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is another side view of the container according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is another cut-away side view of the container according to the present invention along section line A-A in FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a top view of a container according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a perspective side view of a first reservoir 10 and of a second reservoir 11 for a container 12 according to the present invention. The first reservoir 10 and the second reservoir 11 are designed as separate elements or independent partial containers, which are, as is shown here, separable from each other in space. Furthermore, the first reservoir 10 and the second reservoir 11 have an identical design. The second reservoir 11 is oriented such that it is rotated by 180° about its vertical axis in relation to the first reservoir 10. In addition, the first reservoir 10 and the second reservoir 11 are arranged offset in relation to one another in this exemplary view.

The two reservoirs 10, 11 are designed to form a common container 12. The two reservoirs 10, 11 have a connection device 13 for this. The connection device 13 is designed in this exemplary embodiment as an insertion device 13, which is associated with the first reservoir 10 and the second reservoir 11. The insertion device 13 has insertion devices 14, 15. Both the first reservoir 10 and the second reservoir 11 have both insertion devices 14, 15 each.

A first insertion device 14 is designed here as a dovetail groove 14 and a second insertion device 15 as a dovetail base 15. The first insertion device 14 and the second insertion device 15 are designed such that they correspond to each other in terms of size and shape. A first insertion device 14 and a second insertion device 15 are associated here each with the two reservoirs 10, 11. The two insertion devices 14, 15 are arranged next to each other transversely, here at right angles, in relation to the vertical axis of the respective reservoir 10 and 11. The two insertion devices 14, 15 are thus arranged such that a virtual insertion axis 16 is obtained at right angles to the vertical axis of the reservoirs 10, 11. To establish the insertion type connection, the two reservoirs 10, 11 are displaceable towards one another in the longitudinal direction of the insertion axis 16. The insertion devices 14, 15 of the first reservoir can be connected now with the insertion devices 14, 15 of the second reservoir 11.

The two reservoirs 10, 11 are each designed in the manner of bottles and have an essentially hemiellipsoidal cross section in relation to the vertical axis of the respective reservoir 10 and 11 in this exemplary embodiment. The reservoirs 10, 11 have each an essentially flat connection side 17, into which the insertion devices 14, 15 are inserted. The connection side 17 extends here along a major axis of the hemiellipsoidal cross section.

The reservoirs 10, 11 have each a bottleneck-like outlet 18, which extends from a top side 19 of the reservoir 10, 11 in the longitudinal direction of the vertical axis of the reservoir 10, 11. The outlet 18 has a locking collar 20 and an opening 21.

FIG. 2 shows a first perspective side view of a container 12 according to the present invention. The two reservoirs 10, 11 are connected here with one another by means of the connection device 13 or the dovetail device 13. A cap 22 is attached to the two outlets 18 of the reservoirs 10, 11. The cap 22 has a dual function: On the one hand, the two outlets 18 of the reservoirs 10, 11 can be closed together by means of a single cap 22, and, on the other hand, the cap 22 is used as a securing device 22 for additionally securing the two reservoirs 10, 11 connected by means of the insertion device 13. Due to the cap 22 attached to the outlets 18 in the longitudinal direction of the vertical axis of the reservoirs 10, 11 and enclosing the outlets 18, an undesired separation of the two reservoirs 10, 11 from one another is prevented from occurring. The cap 22 blocks a relative motion of the reservoirs 10, 11 in relation to one another in the direction of the insertion axis 16.

The cap 22 has a pivotable cover 23. The cover 23 is pivotable about a mount 24, wherein an axis of rotation of the mount 24 is directed at right angles to the insertion axis 16. The cover 23 is shown in its closed position here. A sealing element 25 is arranged on a side facing away from the mount 24. A tamper-evident safety seal is formed for the cover 23 by means of the sealing element 25. In case the cover 23 had been opened before, the sealing element 25 is connected with the cap 22, on the one hand, and with the cover 23, on the other hand The cap 22 has a fluted structure 26 on its outer circumference.

FIG. 3 shows another perspective side view of a container 12 according to the present invention. This view corresponds more or less to that shown in FIG. 2, but the cover 23 is in its opened position here. The sealing element 25 is separated from the cover 23 and the cover 23 is pivoted away from the sealing element 25 about the mount 24 by about 180°.

The cap 22 has a first dropper 27 and a second dropper 28. The first dropper 27 is in functional connection with the outlet 18 of the first reservoir 10 and the second dropper 28 is in functional connection with the outlet 18 of the second reservoir 11.

An inner side 29 of the cover 23 has a first stopper 30 and a second stopper 31. The first stopper 30 and the second stopper 31 have a conically shaped free end each. The diameters of the first stopper 30 and of the second stopper 31 are designed in the area of the conical end such that when the cover 23 is closed, the first stopper 30 enters the first dropper 27 and the second stopper 31 enters the second dropper 28. The respective stopper 30 and 31 is firmly in contact now with the inner side or an inner edge of the respective dropper 27 and 28. The droppers 27, 28 are thus closed by means of the stoppers 30, 31 when the cover 23 is closed.

The cap 22 has a collection area 32 for collecting a fluid flowing out of the first dropper 27 and/or the second dropper 28. The collection area 32 is arranged for this under the droppers 27, 28 and such that they surround the droppers 27, 28. The collection area 32 is formed in this exemplary embodiment by means of a flat surface 33 and an upwardly projecting edge 34, which extends around the flat surface 33. The collection area 32 thus has a basin-like design.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a container 12 according to the present invention. It can be clearly recognized that the insertion axis 16 is directed at right angles to the vertical axis 35 of the container 12 and of the two reservoirs 10, 11.

A pressing surface 36 is arranged in the area of the intersection of the vertical axis 35 with the insertion axis 16 on a side 37 of the reservoir 11 extending essentially in the longitudinal direction of the insertion axis 16 and analogously on a corresponding side of the reservoir 10.

The mount 24 is designed in this exemplary embodiment as a hinge connection. The cap 22 is made here, for example, of a plastic material, and the cover 23 and the mount 24 are made in one piece with the cap 22.

FIG. 5 shows a cut-away side view of the container 12 according to the present invention along section line B-B in FIG. 4. The cap 22 extends around the outlets 18 of the two reservoirs 10, 11. The locking collar 20 of the two reservoirs 10 and 11 meshes here with a depression 39 arranged on an inner side of the cap 22. As a result, the cap 22 can be locked with the two reservoirs 10, 11 in a positive-locking manner, and undesired separation of the cap 22 from the two reservoirs 10, 11 is sufficiently prevented because of the locking connection.

FIG. 6 shows a detail of the cut-away side view according to FIG. 5 in the area of the cap 22 of the container 12 according to the present invention. The cap 22 has a connection piece 38 for each dropper 27, 28. The connection pieces 38 have an identical design for the two droppers 27, 28.

The droppers 27, 28 have each a conically outwardly expanding channel in this exemplary embodiment. As an alternative to this, the channels may be completely or partially cylindrical. The diameters of the droppers 27, 28 and the channels thereof are designed here such that they are different from each other. The first dropper 27 and the second dropper 28 are coordinated with one another in terms of the shape of their channels such that fluids dispensed by means of the droppers 27, 28 will have a preset mixing ratio. For example, the diameter at the transition from a connection piece 38 to the respective dropper 27 and 28 is smaller here in the first dropper 27 than in the second dropper 28. The diameter at the transition from the connection piece 38 to the second dropper 28 is, for example, twice the diameter at the transition from the connection piece 38 to the first dropper 29 here.

The two stoppers 30, 31 have, for example, a cylindrical design. The length and the diameter of the stoppers 30, 31 are selected to be such that these protrude somewhat into the channel of the respective dropper 27 and 28 in the closed position of the cover 23 to close the droppers 27, 28.

FIG. 7 shows another side view of the container 12 according to the present invention. The sides 37 with the pressing surfaces 36 of the two reservoirs 10, 11 extend essentially in parallel to the connection sides 17 of the two reservoirs 10, 11. Here, the sides 37 form the outer circumference of the container 12.

FIG. 8 shows another cut-away side view of the container 12 according to the present invention along the section line A-A in FIG. 7. The connection side 17 of the first reservoir 10 with the connection device 13 can be clearly recognized here.

The cap 22 has an internal diameter that corresponds essentially to the largest external diameter of the outlet 18. The cap 22 is pulled over the outlets 18 of the two reservoirs 10, 11. A tubular connection piece 38 of the cap 22 is inserted hereby into the opening 21. The connection between the connection piece 38 and the opening 21 is fluid-tight.

Further, it can be recognized that the first stopper 30 is inserted into the first dropper 27 for closing the first dropper 27 in the closed position of the cover 23, which is shown here. Analogously, this applies to the second stopper 31 in relation to the second dropper 28 correspondingly.

FIG. 9 shows a top view of a container 12 according to the present invention. The oval or ellipsoidal outer circumference of the container 12 in the area of the two reservoirs 10, 11 connected with one another can be clearly recognized. The connection sides 17 of the two reservoirs 10, 11 are directly in contact with one another in this exemplary embodiment. As an alternative, the connection sides 17 may be located at spaced locations from one another in an area outside the connection device 13, but also by means of an air gap.

The mode of operation of the present invention will be explained in greater detail below on the basis of FIGS. 1 through 9:

A first fluid can be filled into the first reservoir 10 through the opening 21. A second fluid different from the first fluid can be filled into the second reservoir 11 through the opening 21. The first fluid is a first component and the second fluid is a second component of a two-component material here. After filling the two reservoirs 10, 11, the openings 21 can be covered each with a covering element, for example, a foil.

To manufacture the container 12 comprising the two reservoirs 10, 11, the dovetail base 15 of the first reservoir 10 is pushed into the dovetail groove 14 of the second reservoir 11 along the insertion axis 16. At the same time, the dovetail base 15 of the second reservoir 11 is pushed into the dovetail groove 14 of the first reservoir 10 along the insertion axis 16.

The displacement of the two reservoirs 10, 11 along the insertion axis 16 and the connection sides 17 and towards each other takes place until the two dovetail bases 15 of the first and second reservoirs 10, 11 abut against each other by a front side. The dovetail base 15 of the first reservoir 10 thus acts as a stop for the dovetail base 15 of the second reservoir 11 and vice versa.

In the direction of the insertion axis 16, the dovetail base 15 and the dovetail groove 14 have a width that corresponds to half the width of the respective reservoir 10 and 11 along the insertion axis 16. The insertion device 13 is completed when the dovetail bases 15 of the two reservoirs 10, 11 abut against each other. The two reservoirs 10, 11 form a container 12 in this case, which has an ellipsoidal outer circumference or cross section under the outlets 18.

The cap 22 is then pulled over the two outlets 18. The cap 22 is locked now with the locking collar 20. This prevents the cap 22 from being separated from the two reservoirs 10, 11 or the container 12 without destruction. If the openings 21 are sealed with a foil, the connection pieces 38 puncture the foil when the cap 22 is attached. The connection pieces 38 are in connection with the inner side of the openings 21 in a fluid-tight manner after attaching the cap 22. As an alternative, the connection pieces 38 may be in contact with an outer side of the openings 21.

The inner side of the cap 22 is at least partially in contact with the outer side of the outlets 18 of the two reservoirs 10, 11. When the cap 22 is attached, a relative motion of the two reservoirs 10, 11 in relation to one another and in the direction of the insertion axis 16 is prevented hereby from occurring. The cap 22 thus acts as a securing device, which prevents an accidental separation of the two reservoirs 10, 11 from each other.

To use the container 12 and to mix the two fluids from the two reservoirs 10, 11, the cover 23 of the cap 22 is opened. When the cover 23 is opened for the first time, the sealing element 25 is torn off from the cover 23. A stronger force is necessary for this when the cap 22 is opened for the first time than in case of a subsequent opening. The cover 23 can be held and opened with a single hand in connection with a one-hand operation.

The container 12 subsequently brought into an overhead position, in which the fluids flow by themselves into the droppers 27, 28 because of the force of gravity acting on them. To dispense the fluids from the reservoirs 10, 11 simultaneously and in a metered manner, the elastic material of the wall of the reservoirs 10, 11 can be pushed in. The pressing surfaces 36 of the two reservoirs 10, 11 are pressed now towards each other, as a result of which a desired quantity of fluids separates from the two droppers 27, 28 in the form of an individual drop. The pressing surfaces 36 of the two reservoirs 10, 11 are arranged in the longitudinal direction in relation to the insertion axis 16 and the respective connection sides 17. This facilitates an intuitive gripping of the container 12, during which a person puts a thumb on a pressing surface 36 of the first or second reservoir 10, 11 and at least one finger on a pressing surface 36 of the respective other, first or second reservoir 10, 11.

The two fluids may be collected and mixed in a mixing container, which is not shown here more specifically. As an alternative, the two fluids may be dispensed simultaneously into two collection areas and/or trays, which are separated from each other. Mixing or lamination of the two fluids takes place now at the site of application only, for example, directly at a patient within the framework of an application in dentistry. Optimal mixing ratio of the two fluids is automatically achieved during the joint dispensing of an individual drop of the first fluid from the first dropper 27 and of an individual drop of the second fluid from the second dropper 27 due to the individual design of the two droppers 27, 28 as a function of the two fluids and a preset or desired mixing ratio. The quantity dispensed by the droppers 27, 28 is determined by means of the selected diameter, the length and/or the shape of the channel of the droppers 27, 28.

After dispensing the desired quantity of fluids, the container 12 is rotated back from the overhead position and placed on the bottom of the container 12 or of the two reservoirs 10, 11, which said bottom is arranged such that it faces away from the droppers 27, 28. Fluid that may possibly continue to flow out of the dropper 27 and/or 28 flows down on the outer side of the respective dropper 27 and 28 and is collected in the collection area 32. The fluids are prevented hereby from flowing down on the outer side of the reservoirs 10, 11, at least in excess of the quantity that can be taken up by the collection area.

Thus, the container 12 makes possible the simultaneous, meterable dispensing of two different fluids at a preset ratio, especially mixing ratio, by means of the two separate reservoirs 10, 11, which are directly connected with one another. The metering of two flowable components for a two-component material is made considerably easier hereby.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

APPENDIX:

List of Reference Numbers: 10 First reservoir 11 Second reservoir 12 Container 13 Connection device 14 Insertion device 15 Insertion device 16 Insertion axis 17 Connection side 18 Outlet 19 Top side 20 Locking collar 21 Opening 22 Cap 23 Cover 24 Mount 25 Sealing element 26 Fluted structure 27 First dropper 28 Second dropper 29 Inner side 30 First stopper 31 Second stopper 32 Collection area 33 Surface 34 Edge 35 Vertical axis 36 Pressing surface 37 Side 38 Connection piece 39 Depression 

What is claimed is:
 1. A container for meterably dispensing a fluid, the container comprising: a first closable reservoir for a first fluid; a second closable reservoir for a for a second fluid; a connection device for connecting the first closable reservoir with the second closable reservoir for establishing a closable reservoir system, the connection device comprising a first reservoir insertion base, a second reservoir insertion base, a first reservoir insertion groove and a second reservoir insertion groove, wherein the first reservoir insertion base is insertable into the second reservoir insertion groove and the second reservoir insertion base is insertable into the first reservoir insertion groove and the first reservoir insertion base acts as a stop for the second reservoir insertion base and the second reservoir insertion base acts as a stop for the first reservoir insertion base.
 2. A container in accordance with claim 1, wherein the connection device is designed as an insertion device comprising a dovetail device for establishing a nonpositive and/or positive-locking insertion connection, wherein the first reservoir and the second reservoir each have identically designed insertion devices.
 3. A container in accordance with claim 2, wherein: at least one of the first reservoir and the second reservoir has a semicircular or hemiellipsoidal cross section and an essentially flat connection side; the insertion device is arranged on the connection side; at least one of the insertion device and an insertion axis extends in parallel to a major axis of the semicircular or hemiellipsoidal cross section.
 4. A container in accordance with claim 3, wherein: at least one of the first reservoir and the second reservoir has a pressing surface on a side facing away from the connection side; the pressing surface extends at least one of essentially in a longitudinal direction and in parallel to an insertion axis and parallel to a major axis of the hemiellipsoidal cross section, for establishing an insertion type connection.
 5. A container in accordance with claim 1, wherein the insertion base comprises a dovetail base and the insertion groove comprises a dovetail groove.
 6. A container in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first reservoir and the second reservoir are arranged such that they are rotated by 180° about a vertical axis to establish the connection by the connection device.
 7. A container in accordance with claim 1, wherein: at least one of the first reservoir and the second reservoir has an outlet or bottleneck arranged on a top side; at least one of the first reservoir and the second reservoir comprises an elastically deformable material; at least one of the first reservoir and the second reservoir comprises material with barrier properties in respect to the first fluid and/or the second fluid including barrier properties against permeation of at least one of water vapor, methyl acrylate resins, ethyl alcohol and/or solvents.
 8. A container in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a securing device for additionally securing the first reservoir in a connected state with the second reservoir or the connection device against accidental separation, wherein the securing device comprises a cap, with which at least one of an outlet of the first reservoir can be enclosed and the outlet of the first reservoir can be closed together with an outlet of the second reservoir, the cap being positioned on one or more of the outlets transversely, at right angles to an insertion axis, in the longitudinal direction of which at least one of the first reservoir and the second reservoir is moved to establish an insertion type connection, to block a displacement of the two reservoirs against each other and along the insertion axis.
 9. A container in accordance with claim 8, wherein: the cap comprises a first dropper, which cooperates with the outlet of the first reservoir and a second dropper, which cooperates with the outlet of the second reservoir; the first dropper and the second dropper have dropper characteristics that are coordinated with one another for a preset dispensed quantity of a preset mixing ratio of the fluids from the first reservoir and from the second reservoir; and the cap has a cover for at least one of closing and opening the first dropper and the second dropper together.
 10. A container in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a collection area for collecting at least one of an overflowing first fluid and an overflowing second fluid, wherein: the collection area is associated with the cap, at a location under at least one of the first dropper and the second dropper; the collection area comprises at least one of a basin, a sink, a groove and a raised edge.
 11. A container system comprising: a container for meterably dispensing a fluid, the container comprising: a first closable reservoir for a first fluid; a second closable reservoir for a for a second fluid; and a connection device for connecting the first closable reservoir with the second closable reservoir for establishing a closable reservoir system, the connection device comprising a first reservoir insertion base, a second reservoir insertion base, a first reservoir insertion groove and a second reservoir insertion groove, wherein the first reservoir insertion base is insertable into the second reservoir insertion groove and the second reservoir insertion base is insertable into the first reservoir insertion groove and the first reservoir insertion base acts as a stop for the second reservoir insertion base and the second reservoir insertion base acts as a stop for the first reservoir insertion base, wherein with the first closable reservoir connected by means of the connection device with the second closable reservoir the system can dispense the first fluid as a first component and the second fluid as a second component simultaneously with a preset mixing ratio to provide a two-component material.
 12. A container system in accordance with claim 11, wherein the connection device is designed as an insertion device comprising a dovetail device for establishing a nonpositive and/or positive-locking insertion connection, wherein the first reservoir and the second reservoir each have identically designed insertion devices.
 13. A container system in accordance with claim 12, wherein: at least one of the first reservoir and the second reservoir has a semicircular or hemiellipsoidal cross section and an essentially flat connection side; the insertion device is arranged on the connection side; at least one of the insertion device and an insertion axis extends in parallel to a major axis of the semicircular or hemiellipsoidal cross section.
 14. A container system in accordance with claim 13, wherein: at least one of the first reservoir and the second reservoir has a pressing surface on a side facing away from the connection side; the pressing surface extends at least one of essentially in a longitudinal direction and in parallel to an insertion axis and parallel to a major axis of the hemiellipsoidal cross section, for establishing an insertion type connection.
 15. A container system in accordance with claim 11, wherein the insertion base comprises a dovetail base and the insertion groove comprises a dovetail groove.
 16. A container system in accordance with claim 11, wherein the first reservoir and the second reservoir are arranged such that they are rotated by 180° about a vertical axis to establish the connection by the connection device.
 17. A container system in accordance with claim 11, wherein: at least one of the first reservoir and the second reservoir has an outlet or bottleneck arranged on a top side; at least one of the first reservoir and the second reservoir comprises an elastically deformable material; at least one of the first reservoir and the second reservoir comprises material with barrier properties in respect to the first fluid and/or the second fluid including barrier properties against permeation of at least one of water vapor, methyl acrylate resins, ethyl alcohol and/or solvents.
 18. A container system in accordance with claim 11, further comprising a securing device for additionally securing the first reservoir in a connected state with the second reservoir or the connection device against accidental separation, wherein the securing device comprises a cap, with which at least one of an outlet of the first reservoir can be enclosed and the outlet of the first reservoir can be closed together with an outlet of the second reservoir, the cap being positioned on one or more of the outlets transversely, at right angles to an insertion axis, in the longitudinal direction of which at least one of the first reservoir and the second reservoir is moved to establish an insertion type connection, to block a displacement of the two reservoirs against each other and along the insertion axis.
 19. A container system in accordance with claim 18, wherein: the cap comprises a first dropper, which cooperates with the outlet of the first reservoir and a second dropper, which cooperates with the outlet of the second reservoir; the first dropper and the second dropper have dropper characteristics that are coordinated with one another for a preset dispensed quantity of a preset mixing ratio of the fluids from the first reservoir and from the second reservoir; and the cap has a cover for at least one of closing and opening the first dropper and the second dropper together.
 20. A container system in accordance with claim 11, further comprising a collection area for collecting at least one of an overflowing first fluid and an overflowing second fluid, wherein: the collection area is associated with the cap, at a location under at least one of the first dropper and the second dropper; the collection area comprises at least one of a basin, a sink, a groove and a raised edge. 